The meetings of community members with Watercare appear to be progressing well and generate hope that this is a new and effective direction for community consultation. Sewage is a controversial issue which has generated concerns for residents in the Whangateau harbour catchment for some years and it is very encouraging to feel these concerns are at last being listened to.

The Omaha Wastewater Treatment Plant Consultative Group (“the Consultative Group”) held its third meeting last Saturday at Point Wells.

The Consultative Group was formed following two local open-days run by the owner of the Omaha Wastewater Treatment Plant, Watercare Services Ltd (“Watercare”) at which feedback was sought on upcoming resource consent applications that will authorise the future operation of the wastewater treatment plant. A range of individuals and organisations from the Omaha, Point Wells and Matakana communities expressed an interest in participating in a consultative forum and so the Consultative Group was formed.

We put in a submission (see Sewage Entering Harbour) opposing the pumping of sewage from Matakana to our harbour. The Commissioners acknowledged the issue and declined all submissions which would have resulted in intensification in the village and would have pushed sewage beyond the limit of 2000 people imposed by Watercare.